The Washington Commanders completed their 2023 season with a 38-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The loss means Washington was swept by Dallas by a combined 83-20 in the two meetings this season.
Much like in their first meeting, the Commanders hung tight with the Cowboys early, but Dallas blew the Thanksgiving Day meeting open in the fourth quarter, outscoring Washington 25-0 en route to the 45-10 win. In Sunday’s game, a blocked field goal and a tipped interception helped the Commanders stay close in the first half when, in reality, it shouldn’t have been.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott had his way against a Washington defense without most of its starters, completing 31 of 36 passes for 279 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
Now that the regular season is over let’s have one last edition of studs and duds before the offseason fun begins.
Stud: WR Terry McLaurin
This isn’t because of McLaurin’s final numbers but for his accomplishment. McLaurin finished the game with six receptions for 56 yards. Sam Howell missed him for what would’ve been a 51-yard touchdown on Washington’s opening possession. On the Commanders’ final drive, they made a concerted effort to ensure that McLaurin got the 13 required yards to go over 1,000 receiving yards for the season.
Remember all the foolish talk that McLaurin couldn’t get open earlier in the season? Over the last few weeks, he proved he’s still the same player. However, this offensive staff hasn’t done a good job of getting him the ball, and when they have, Howell has struggled. McLaurin will be working with yet another new quarterback in 2024, but perhaps it will finally be a true franchise passer.
Dud: QB Sam Howell
Howell’s numbers weren’t great again. He did have a few good throws, one along the sideline to McLaurin and one in the end zone where Curtis Samuel couldn’t get his second foot down. But, like most of the last several weeks, there was more bad than good. Howell missed McLaurin for an easy touchdown on the opening drive that could’ve set the tone. Sure, the Commanders probably still wouldn’t have won, but who knows what would’ve happened had he completed that pass?
Howell was intercepted twice again. He was hit on both throws, but both weren’t the greatest decisions. The second pick, on a deep throw to McLaurin, was just a bad pass. The first interception was impacted by him being hit. Howell had multiple chances to finish the season on a strong note, and he could not do so, making the first 10 weeks seem like a distant memory.
Stud: RG Sam Cosmi
It’s difficult to single out one offensive lineman in a performance like this, but if you can, go back and watch Sam Cosmi. The right guard frustrated Dallas star Micah Parsons throughout the first half, driving him to the ground at least twice. Parsons got a sack later in the game, but it wasn’t against Cosmi. For all of the talk about Washington’s offensive line, Cosmi’s play has been a bright spot throughout the last half of the season. Cosmi is a building block and an extension candidate for the next regime.
Dud: LT Cornelius Lucas
Cornelius Lucas has been a fine player for the Commanders over the past four seasons. He’s always delivered when called upon, proving his worth as a swing tackle. But on Sunday, Lucas had a rough day on the edge against Dallas’ pass rushers. Lucas allowed multiple pressures, and you could probably attribute three sacks to Lucas.
Stud: DB Quan Martin
The rook is having a day 😮💨@budlight | #EasytoCelebrate pic.twitter.com/pjKAkvdVmr
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 7, 2024
Quan Martin was off to a fantastic start against the Cowboys. He had great coverage on a Prescott pass to Brandin Cooks, preventing a touchdown. He broke up another pass, and he also had the above interception. This was all in the first half before he departed with an ankle injury. Since he began playing more in late October, Martin has improved weekly. He is going to be a player. It will be fun to watch him grow once he receives real coaching next season. His versatility is an asset for the Commanders.
Dud: CB Emmanuel Forbes
A rough day for Forbes. There have been too many of these for the first-round pick. It’s too early to call Forbes a bust. Washington’s coaching staff wasn’t very good this year. We need to see Forbes and some of the younger DBs play under a new staff. While Forbes struggled most of the season, some of the other DBs regressed this season. Against Dallas, Forbes allowed a touchdown, was in the vicinity on another one and had at least two pathetic tackle attempts. A rough day for the rookie.
Dud: The 2023 season
This sums up everything. We aren’t going to judge some of Washington’s young players so harshly due to Sunday. Remember, the Commanders put several players on IR and were without multiple starters. The coaching staff was a dud, beginning with head coach Ron Rivera.
The offensive line struggled. Sam Howell certainly had his moments but had a rough final seven weeks. Jahan Dotson was invisible through most of the season. The defense was record-setting bad. The defensive line, even before trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young, didn’t make enough plays. The secondary was a mess. Jack Del Rio should’ve been fired sooner. The linebackers were again a weakness. Eric Bieniemy didn’t do enough to elevate the offense. Shall we continue?
Good luck to the next regime.
